TOWAMENCIN — Shannon Talbot wants to have a larger vocal presence during games this season.

“Coach (Shannon) McCracken says I’m like the quarterback. I’m the center of everything and it’s really important for me to talk, which — I’m real quiet,” said North Penn field hockey senior captain after Friday’s preseason practice. “That’s another thing I want to work on this season, is my communication. I can see the whole field, so I need to help my teammates know where to go.”

Talbot, however, has no problems letting her talent speak for itself. She earned Suburban One Continental Conference League all-conference first team honors at midfield in helping the Maidens rebound from a tough start last season to make the District One Class AAA postseason. And with a number of key players returning, North Penn is primed to make a little more noise in 2013.

“I’m impressed with way the girls came in shape and they worked really hard in the offseason, so we’re ready to go,” Maidens second-year coach Shannon McCracken said. “So, the forwards look fast, which is excellent. The midfield is experienced, so that really helps. And I think our question mark would just be defense. We’re only returning one back, but we have a returning goalkeeper. So the defense just needs to gel.”

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North Penn went 7-9-2 overall — 6-6-2 in the conference, good for fifth-place — in McCracken’s first season, but the way the team ended up with its 2012 record that is the cause for August optimism. The Maidens opened with six straight losses before completely reversing course, ending the season 7-2-2 in its final 11 regular season games — a run that included NP handing eventual district champ Central Bucks South its first loss.

“We’ve definitely done some really surprising stuff in the past. Nobody expected us to beat the undefeated CB South last year. Nobody expected that out of us,” senior captain Katrina Marger said. “And it’s just like really the one thing that we’ve always had as North Penn is heart. We always give 100 percent, we never give up. And we encourage each other and I feel that’s a big thing. We’re really close as a team, like a family almost. We’re always there for each other.”

Seeded 26th in the District One 3A tournament, North Penn was bounced by No. 7 Haverford 6-2 in the first round. The year’s turnaround, however, has stoked the excitement for an improved result in the upcoming season, which the Maidens start Friday, Aug. 30 hosting Methacton.

“We’re been working really hard. We’ve been working in the winter, too, which is new this year. We’ve been lifting and stuff. Everyone’s more on board this year. We all really want to win and I think we have good leaders this year. We have a lot of seniors that are going to step up.”

Along with Talbot, the Maidens have two other returning all-conference selections with junior forward Casey O’Donnell and senior goalkeeper Chessa Kownurko named to the SOL Continental third team. Veteran leadership can be found throughout NP’s lineup with Marger in midfield, junior Amanda Laessig at forward and senior Julianna Hill in defense.

“It took a little while to gel last season because the girls were young or inexperienced , even though they were older, they didn’t play the year before. This year, we have a lot of starters back,” McCracken said. “And we’re filling the spots with some young ones that are eager to play.”

Marger is looking for North Penn to increase its offensive production. The Maidens averaged 1.6 goals per game in 2012 and scored more than two goals just three times in their 18 contests.

“I think we’re pretty solid all-around. Hopefully we’re going to be scoring a lot more this year,” Marger said. “Definitely working on our circle play and getting a lot more shots off. I think we’re trying to focus on that a lot this year.”

Talbot also is looking for the Maidens to improve their attack.

“I want to score more goals,” she said. “I want our corners to be a little bit better. I kind of want us to be working with passes more — in-and-out passes.”

If the team can do that, the conference — and perhaps District One — will no doubt hear from North Penn.

“We were able to squeak our way into playoffs, so the girls want to finish higher in the league this year,” McCracken said. “And get a higher seed for playoffs. And they want to make a run. They’re determined.”